FAQ

What is the ATX Television Festival?

Though there are thousands of film and music festivals, in and out of Austin, there is nothing like ATX. The focus of the ATX Television Festival is the celebration of the medium of television: looking back at its history, where it is now, and where it is headed. Our Festival Programming includes panels, screenings and events where attendees can hear from Panelists involved in all stages of bringing their favorite series to the small screen.

How can I register for the ATX Television Festival?

Our Season 7 Festival Badges are now on sale! We hope to see you in June 2018!

Where does the festival take place?

Festival headquarters are located at the Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel (701 Congress Ave.). This is the hub of all festival events, and where a lot of our panels take place. Our other Season 6 (2017) venues included the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (320 E. 6th St), the historic State and Paramount Theatres (719 Congress Ave.), Google Fiber (201 Colorado Ave.), and Trinity Hall (311 E. 5th St.).

Information about where to stay near the hub of the festival (and discounts!) can be found here.

Where can I find the schedule?

We wait until the final weeks prior to the festival to release our full schedule so you can have the most up-to-date information as you’re making your festival game plan!

Why is the Festival Badge listed at multiple price levels?

Good question! All three price levels give you the same badge, and thus the same level of access to Fast Passes, Panels, Screenings, etc. — however, we only sell a limited number of badges at each price point (and could potentially sell out altogether). So the earlier you buy, the more funds you can allocate for your breakfast taco budget during the festival.

I really only want to attend for one event / panelist. What should I do?

As always, we strongly discourage purchasing any ATX Television Festival Credential for a single event or individual.

Programming and panelists are subject to change. Our team works year-round to program a diverse and expansive range of content, and encourages badgeholders to attend as fans of television, with an interest in multiple series and individuals, and with an interest in discovering something new.

Please keep this in mind if you’re considering attending the festival for a single event or panelist — and accept that if you choose to purchase any ATX Credential, you are not guaranteed entrance to any single screening, panel, or event.

Can I buy a ticket to just one event, instead of a badge for the whole festival?

Single Tickets for select events at the State and Paramount Theatres may be be available closer to the festival. Check back when we’re a bit closer to June!

I’m registered! Now, how do I get to ATX and where should I stay?

Yay! We’re excited that you’re coming!

Check out our Getting Here page for more information on room blocks, airports, and car services.

Will there be cast / creatives at every screening?

Yep! At each series we screen we have cast, creative representatives or both in attendance. Do keep in mind that sometimes despite best efforts, schedules can (and do) change due to unforeseen circumstances, and as such, Programming and Panelists are never 100% guaranteed.

If a venue fills up, will you live-stream a panel or Q&A to a neighboring venue for badgeholders?

While we are always exploring new ways to evolve — and may eventually include live-streaming to online communities — we have no plans to simulcast to local venues during the festival.

ATX is a place that creates community; and we find that happens best in small and intimate rooms with TV fans joining together for a live experience. If you can’t get into a first choice screening / panel, our hope is that you’ll go to another one and discover something new! As we grow, it’s our goal to always have something for you to be a part of within the ATX Community.

We do try to put as many panels and Q&As online as quickly as possible, so that you can re-live your favorite events (or experience them for the first time)! Check out all our festival content on our streaming site, A Television Experience.

Does my Festival Badge give me access to parties / evening events?

Access to all parties / evening events is not included in the price of your Festival Badge. While some evening events may be available to Festival Badgeholders, other events are by invitation only.

As Programming comes together and Sponsors join the fest, additional events may be added for Festival Badgeholders. Each year we grow, and your enjoyment both day and night is very important to us. If / when sponsors come on that allow for additional events, you will be the first to know!

Are there ‘Meet and Greet’ opportunities?

Probably not in the way you’re thinking. We aren’t a “con.” So, we don’t have booths, organized photo ops, or autograph signings.

But what we do have is even BETTER! We try to create an intimate and accessible event that allows you the opportunity to organically meet and / or talk to our panelists.

Most of our attendees come to the festival because of the accessibility and casual proximity to your favorite TV folks. Our panelists will often stop and chat any time they have the chance, and you’re likely to see them hanging out after panels and Q&As, grabbing a drink downtown, or even attending other panels / screenings as a fan.

Will I have a chance to get a picture or autograph from a Panelist?

It’s possible — most of our attendees are more than happy to sign something or take a few pictures. We only ask that you be respectful of their space and time, and remember that scheduling sometimes means they might have another engagement or a flight to catch right after a panel.

Am I allowed to take videos during panels / Q&As?

Nope. There are copyright and legal considerations that prevent us from allowing videos inside festival events, and we ask that all attendees respect those considerations throughout the weekend.* That said, our videographers do a great job documenting the whole festival, so why don’t you sit back, relax, and let us do the recording for you!

You are welcome to take pictures though, but please be respectful to both panelists and other attendees — no flashes allowed and don’t hold your phone up throughout the duration of the panel. It’s distracting, can obstruct others’ views, and keeps you from really experiencing the panel.

*You will be asked to acknowledge this policy when signing for your ATX Credentials at registration, and we reserve the right to pursue the removal of any illegally obtained media from public forums.

Can I bring my child with me to a panel or screening?

Although we encourage sharing the festival with your loved ones, the nature of our small, intimate venues and content (some of which is not suitable for minors) requires us to make certain considerations.

Attendees between 12 and 17 years of age are allowed to attend festival programming, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times, and both must have official ATX Credentials for the event they would like to attend. Children under 12 years of age are not permitted to attend festival screenings or panels.

What’s all this about Fast Passes?

Our Fast Pass System, available exclusively to ATX Badgeholders, helps you better strategize your festival game plan. Badgeholders can receive four (4) Fast Passes during the festival. These Fast Passes allow you to jump to the front of the Badgeholder general admission line, so you can grab a great seat to a screening or panel.

For important details about selecting and using your Passes, please head on over to our Fast Pass System page.

Can I get the same Fast Passes as my friends?

Our Fast Pass System is unable to match up or link Badges to give two people the same Fast Pass selections. If you’re trying to sync up your schedule with a friend, after all Badgeholders have been assigned their Passes, you can swap out your Fast Pass selections on the Online Guide, or once you’re at the festival, at Registration, for any remaining available Passes.

And remember! Each event will have differing numbers of Fast Passes available. There will be no fewer than one third of a venue’s capacity available for Fast Pass selection, and a venue will never be completely “reserved” by Fast Passes. So if you weren’t able to get a Fast Pass for an event but your friend was, never fear! There’s still a very good chance you’ll make it in!

For important details about selecting and using your Passes, please head on over to our Fast Pass System page.

I bought my Festival Badge, but haven’t heard anything since. How do I know I’m not missing things?

After purchasing your Festival Badge, you should have received a badge purchase confirmation from Prekindle. If you haven’t gotten that email, make sure to let support@prekindle.com know so they can help you out.

Most of the communication directly from the festival to attendees will be in the final 3 months prior to the festival, and the bulk of it will be in the final weeks leading up to the fest. And in the meantime, if you want to familiarize yourself with what to expect at ATX, check out our Prepare for the Fest & How to ATX pages.

There are also a few things you can do to make sure you’re kept in the loop: 1) sign up for our mailing list – available at the top-right corner of this webpage, 2) check your SPAM box frequently, as you never know when it’s going to be a jerk and swallow up an email that’s not spam, and 3) follow us on social media (Facebook and Twitter).

I have a TV show… how can I get it into ATX programming?

Our Programming is done internally, and we don’t accept submissions. But, if you have a great idea for a TV show, you should check out our Pitch Competition for information on pitch submissions.

I have a car, where can I park?

We recommend finding the nearest downtown lot, as street parking is metered and has 3 – 5 hour limits. More information about parking lots and street parking is maintained by Downtown Austin Alliance, and can be found here. You can also reserve parking in advance with SpotHero, a parking reservation service that connects drivers to discounted, convenient parking!

Can my friend pick up my Badge for me?

Nope. Everyone needs to pick up their own Festival Badge, and you’ll need to present your valid photo ID when picking it up.

I’ve never been to a festival before. What should I wear?

Think casual & stay comfortable.

Luckily this is Austin, so you can’t really go wrong with any of your wardrobe choices. An important thing to keep in mind is that even though it will be super hot outside, Texas is BIG on AC… so inside venues, the AC could be cranked way down and it’ll be chilly. We advise bringing a layer or two if you’re prone to being cold.

If you want to infuse your wardrobe with a little festival pride before heading to Austin, make sure to check out our ATX Festival Shop!

Can you tell me about ATX Television Festival’s Accessibility Information?

The ATX Television Festival works hard to make sure that all our panels, screenings, and events are accessible to all attendees. The more advance notice we have, the better we’re able to plan! Please email TV@atxfestival.com with questions or specific accommodation requests.

Official ATX Festival venues are ADA accessible, and at outdoor events where there are portable toilets, accessible facilities will also be provided. All official venues where seating is provided will have ADA accessible seating for attendees who require said seating because of a mobility disability. A companion will also be able to utilize the ADA seating. Seating for attendees with a mobility disability and one companion is on a first-come, first-served basis, and once an event starts, all unclaimed accessible seating will be made available to general admission. If you would like to utilize the ADA seating, please alert the Venue Manager when you arrive at an event.

Trained service animals of attendees with disabilities are welcome at the festival, in compliance with venue policies.

Check out Capitol Metro’s Accessibility Information regarding public transportation, and if you have a disabled hang tag or license plate, you don’t have to pay for City of Austin parking meters, and there is no time limit on the time zones for City of Austin maintained parking.

What is ATX Television Festival’s Weapons Policy?

The ATX Television Festival has a strict Weapons-Free Policy.

The ATX Television Festival is a private event and attendees are prohibited from carrying weapons of any kind. Prohibited items include but are not limited to guns, ammunition, tasers, knives, sharp objects or explosives of any kind, whether carried openly or concealed, and are still prohibited even if the weapons are inoperable or unusable. Items that may be legal for you to own or carry are not welcome at our events if they violate this Weapons Policy.

Your participation in the ATX Television Festival means that you agree to comply with this Weapons Policy, regardless of whether the Weapons Policy is posted at the premises of any official event.

You further understand and agree that, for your own safety and the safety of everyone at the Festival, we have the absolute and immediate right to inspect your bags, coats, and any other item you bring to the Festival. We may temporarily or permanently remove any attendee at any time for violating this Weapons Policy — because your safety, and every festivalgoer’s safety, is very important to us.